Diary of a Not-So-Wimpy Series

I am amazed by the enduring popularity of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney that begins with Greg Heffley's Journal and recently added its 8th title, Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck. School-age kids still ask for these books every day and the series even grabs the attention of normally reluctant readers. But what's a parent to do when your kid has read all eight books? Not to worry. Here are some alternative series and titles that are similar in format, sense of humor and reading level.

The Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce: Nate Wright is a sixth-grader whose disastrous love life, attempts at popularity, bad grades and good friends make for hilarious reading. Book 1 is Big Nate.

The Dork Diaries series by Rachel Renee Russell: Eighth-grader Nikki Maxwell navigates her stuck-up new school through sketches and diary entries about popularity, mean girls, crushes, friends and family. Book 1 is Tales from A Not-so-fabulous Life.

The Middle School series by James Patterson: Rafe Khatchadorian is not ready for middle school and the bullies, homework and new Code of Conduct that come with it. Maybe he’ll just have to break all the rules to survive. Book 1 is Middle School

The Charlie Joe Jackson series by Tommy Greenwald: The hero of this series, Charlie Joe, HATES reading. In fact, he’s never finished an entire book. What lengths will he go to in order to keep it that way?  Book 1 is Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading.